New DS 7 Crossback PureTech 130: is a three-cylinder engine enough?

The DS 7 Crossback gets the PureTech 3-cylinder petrol engine with 130 CV, making it the cheapest version in the range.

A 3-cylinder engine had never delivered so much. Now the 1.2 petrol used in many models of the PSA group arrives in the DS 7 Crossback, to create an interesting entry-level version of the range.

From 34,600 euros, including a 1,000-euro promotional discount, the DS 7 Crossback PureTech 130 CV offers an alternative for those who do not need a car with an ECO or CERO environmental label within the category of premium SUVs.

With this three-cylinder, it is indeed enough

With the same power as the petrol PureTech, the DS 7 Crossback range also offers the BlueHDI option with identical power, which costs barely 100 euros more. But the “small” three-cylinder is a very capable engine, as we have confirmed every time we have been able to drive it in different models.

In the DS 7 Crossback, combined as standard with the smooth 8-speed automatic gearbox, it reaches a top speed of 195 km/h, dropping below 10 seconds in the standing-start sprint, with the stopwatch stopping at 9.9 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. Even better figures than the diesel, which it only concedes on consumption: the homologated average is 6.7 l/100 km in the combined cycle, versus 5.2 for the HDI. Moreover, the three-cylinder PureTech has always proven to be a very smooth and pleasant engine to drive, in every model in which we have tested it.

If you want a comfortable SUV for covering many kilometres on main roads and motorways, the HDI remains your option. For those who also use the car often in the city and do not want problems with particulate filters, AdBlue or the greater maintenance diesels require under these conditions of use, the petrol PureTech is the better choice.

Above this version sits the 1.6 Turbo engine of 180 CV. A version that clearly outperforms the three-cylinder 1.2 in performance, but loses appeal when you compare the price: almost 5,000 euros more, with the same equipment. As the more performance-oriented variant there is the 225 CV PureTech. In the road test of the DS 7 Crossback with this engine we already saw what it can deliver… and the fuel it can consume if you want to make the most of its full potential.

Adjustments for the 180 CV DS 7 Crossback

The brand also announces an efficiency improvement for the 180 CV PureTech, 180 CV BlueHDI and the plug-in hybrid versions, by fitting 19-inch wheels and tyres with an A rating on the European label used by the DS 7 Crossback E-Tense. This allows both versions to keep CO2 emissions below 120 g/km, which means they are exempt from the Registration Tax.